The TBA Committee met on September 9th from 2.45pm. Present were Julie Rhodes (P), John Grosvenor (VP), Leigh Blizzard (T) Hugh Grosvenor, Pam Murphy, Chris Girvan, Leonie Atkins, Fran Healy, Simon Edler, Katherine Marsden and Laura Bauermeister. The following matters were discussed:

Bridge Day Out

On Tuesday September 23rd the ABF is running a fund raising day of bridge for the ABF Foundation. On that day $5 per participant will be going to the ABF to support the Bridge in Schools program. There will be an optional Zoom session afterwards for hand analysis, and prizes will be awarded in various categories. Whether you are a regular Tuesday player or not, try to make it to the club for this special day.

Special Chairs

We have been asked via the Suggestion Box to provide special chairs for people with back problems. Some years ago, the TBA purchased a variety of chairs in consultation with its members – these are now in various locations in the playing room. If you need a special chair, try out the different varieties available to find the one which best suits your needs. Feel free to move them around as required.

Online Bridge Education

The TBA has signed up to Will Jenner O’Shea’s online bridge lessons. Will has previously conducted lessons at the club which were well received by members. If you would like to explore these lessons, use this link.

Lesson are $20 each and include the following:

  • 2 hour recorded session, usually Theory, Practical and Student Play
  • Practice hands
  • Course notes

Centenary of Contract Bridge

100 years ago, Harold Vanderbilt perfected the game, transforming it from auction bridge into the contract bridge played today, whilst on a Caribbean Cruise. To celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the game we all love, the TBA will run a special event in the week of October 27th – November 2nd 2025. This event will be known as the Statewide Centenary Pairs and we will encourage all of our affiliated clubs to play a pre-determined set of boards at one of their regular sessions during that week. The TBA session will be the Friday morning session on 31st October. Once all participating clubs have completed their session, overall scoring will occur to determine the overall winners as well as category winners. Prizes in the form of bridge credits will be awarded as follows:

  • Overall Winners - 150 each
  • Overall Runner’s Up -100 each
  • Overall 3rd place - 50 each
  • Winner Restricted category - 50 each
  • Winner Novice category - 50 each

Can you help with Storage? Have you got any empty garage space?

As part of the Tasmanian Festival of Bridge next March, the ABF are running playoff events for the Australian Mixed Pairs and Seniors Teams. Due to the serious nature of these events, they are played with screens and special tables. If there is a member out there with some spare garage space who could help us store this equipment for 3 – 6 months, please let us know. You won’t have to do any of the transportation – that will be arranged by the ABF.

TBA Signs with 1st Energy for Electricity

As previously mentioned, the TBA has changed our electricity provider from Aurora Energy to 1st Energy. As a bonus for our club, 1st Energy has agreed to give the TBA $150 for every member that switches to 1st Energy.

Members who are interested in trimming their electricity spend and taking advantage of this offer should contact Roger Sparrow on 0438 538 985 or roger.sparrow@1stenergy.com.au.

New customers who are RACT members also get $150 credit in first 12 months and non-RACT customers will get $100 credit in first 12 months.

In order to ensure that the TBA gains full benefit from your switch, please mention that you are a bridge player when you contact Roger.

Promotions

Congratulations to the following TBA members who have been promoted this month:

New Members

Please welcome Deb Ford and Ros Hamilton as new and returning members to our club.

Bridge Etiquette – Tip of the Month

Call the Director if there is an anomaly at the table. This is standard and correct practice. Sometimes beginners think they are in trouble if the Director is called, but it is always the right thing to do, and happens very regularly.

Julie Rhodes

President